It is well known that I am a beach fanatic. I made a “Reader’s Island” in one corner of our school’s library complete with a palm tree and beach chairs. There are also shells throughout the library. One Kindergarten class inquired about the sand dollar on my desk …

Me: “Boys and girls? Does anyone know what kind of shell this is?”

Random kindergartners: “it’s a sea shell”, “it’s a turtle shell”, […]

It is well known that I am a beach fanatic. I made a “Reader’s Island” in one corner of our school’s library complete with a palm tree and beach chairs. There are also shells throughout the library. One Kindergarten class inquired about the sand dollar on my desk …

Elementary students tend to talk. A lot. One fifth-grade boy has his own solution …

Fifth-grade boy: “So Ms. Kinney. All I hear ALL the time is I talk too much. Mainly from teachers but my mom and some friends too. Do I need to have my voice taken out? Or a voice button installed that makes me stop?

Me: “Um. That’s a little drastic isn’t it?”

Boy: “Probably but it may be the […]

Elementary students tend to talk. A lot. One fifth-grade boy has his own solution …

Fifth-grade boy: “So Ms. Kinney. All I hear ALL the time is I talk too much. Mainly from teachers but my mom and some friends too. Do I need to have my voice taken out? Or a voice button installed that makes me stop?

Me: “Um. That’s a little drastic isn’t it?”

Boy: “Probably but it may be the only way. And how would I ask a question without a voice since I’d be mute?

Young students. Sometimes they just can’t control themselves … but at least some admit they have a problem!

Fifth-grade boy: “Ugh. Ms. Kinney? I have issues. I might need a doctor.”

Me: “Um for what?”

Boy: “Cuz. I can’t stop saying bad things. Like the word ‘crap.’ It comes out! I just can’t help it. It’s kinduva bad word I know. And my chair. I keep tipping it back […]

Young students. Sometimes they just can’t control themselves … but at least some admit they have a problem!

Fifth-grade boy: “Ugh. Ms. Kinney? I have issues. I might need a doctor.”

Me: “Um for what?”

Boy: “Cuz. I can’t stop saying bad things. Like the word ‘crap.’ It comes out! I just can’t help it. It’s kinduva bad word I know. And my chair. I keep tipping it back and even though you teachers say we’ll fall backwards and hurt our brains? I still do it. So maybe a doctor to give me some pill or something?”

Me: “Not sure there’s a pill for that but at least you admit you have some things to work on!”